Cybersecurity

Which sectors are the biggest threats for data breaches?

Aug 05, 2013

Americans are feeling more secure these days, according to the most recent Security Index released by Unisys Corp. But more than 60 percent of those surveyed said they are very or somewhat concerned about the risk of government data breaches that could expose their personal information.

According to the snapshot of the nation’s sense of security produced by Lieberman Research Group, the overall index now is at 120, a moderate level of concern, which is down from 131 one year ago and at the lowest level since the surveys began in 2007. The index of concern peaked at 164 in 2011. Financial security tops the list of worries, driven by concerns of identity theft and bank card fraud, trumping concerns over personal, national and Internet security.

When it comes to worries about data breaches, only the banking and financial services industry rates a higher level of concern than government, with 67 percent of respondents saying they are somewhat or very concerned about that sector.

Americans are evenly split on whether Congress should require banks and other private businesses to share information about cyberattacks with the government. Forty-six percent are in favor of the requirement, 48 percent opposed and the rest said they don’t know.